by S. L. Eaves
“Then there’s a reason we’re both standing here in this parking garage,” he retorts, steadfast in his resolve.
Same stubborn guy I’d considered a best friend for many years.
“Fine, one drink.” I’d lost the energy to argue.
“I buy the drinks; you can pay for my therapy bills.” He smirks.
“It’s like…you ever watch a horror film where the villains are all, ‘Come join us. We’ll show you a world beyond your wildest dreams’? And the protagonist always has the same reaction—”
“Like, ‘You must be insane. I never want to be like you.’”
Jeff realizes the analogy as he completes it for me and his expression goes grim.
“Oh…”
“Yeah. In the movies, the protagonist survives, overcoming all obstacles, bringing down the evil forces…whatever they might be. Happy ending. I’m no protagonist. Hell, I didn’t even get the option.”
“Did they show you a world beyond your wildest dreams?”
I polish off my drink and signal the waiter for another.
“I’ve seen things I wouldn’t believe if I hadn’t seen ’em with my own eyes. Things I never wanted to see, not in my dreams. Not in my nightmares. Not standing two feet from me…You can relate.”
“Like today in the parking garage.”
“There’s a reality outside a human’s comfort zone.”
I choose my words carefully, not wanting to scare Jeff more than I already have. I continue, “What humans call supernatural, myths, bedtime stories…it’s a way of denying real threats, real consequences.”
I avoid using the word “dangers,” but it is inferred clearly enough.
The waiter brings us another round. We stare in silence at our drinks.
“Look, I’m not trying to sound all grave and dismal. I’m just trying to help you understand the things you’ve witnessed.” I sigh and try again.
“There’s another world here, sharing this same plane of existence. It has the same familiar concepts as this world. Good, evil, creatures fighting for what they believe in. Power struggles. Greed. Everyone has their motives, every action justified by their own reasoning. It’s just like this world where humans reign.”
“What about the others?”
I look up at him over my glass.
“Are they like you? Torn from their lives here, however unwillingly? What about the man—er—vampire, that did this to you?”
“He learned of their world and he embraced it.”
“Really?”
“The circumstances vary greatly…It’s not something we talk about. We all deal with vampirism differently, some easier than others, but the war provides a much needed distraction.”
I feel like I’ve just stepped back into my old life. Conversing as though we were back in college again. Except for the immense rift. Except for the demon in the room.
“I can see you distancing yourself with your eyes.”
At that, he looks away.
“It’s okay. I’d be concerned if you weren’t. I’ll tell you something. Something I’ve never told anyone.”
“You don’t have to confide in me.”
“It’s not a secret. At least not to me.” I think about what Catch told the others. I finish off round two. “I had a tumor. Have actually; it’s ineffectual now.”
“A tumor?”
“Brain, to be specific. Very rare, especially at my age. It’s what drew them to me. Vampires having the ability to sense death, I was on my way out and they intercepted. I’m not sure how I feel about it. In some ways I’m condemned. In some ways I’m freer than I’ve ever been.”
He raises his brow.
“This revelation changed my perspective on things…all my life the world took from me. Took my family, my home, my health, my innocence; gnawed away at everything I’ve ever loved, ever valued. Now I see this condition as less of a curse and more as an opportunity. A chance to take back.”
I feel my eyes turn yellow and shut them until the burning fades. When I open them, Jeff’s face registers sorrow.
“Wow.” He finishes his drink. “So they targeted you and brought you in—to a war?”
I nod. “Yeah, I think. Part of it. Apparently they—at least some of them—think the tumor triggers activity in what would otherwise be dormant parts of my brain. I don’t know if I’m explaining it right, but essentially they think I can process things before they happen—or even possibly pick up waves telepathically from nearby beings, like see future or past events through reading thoughts, er, well—sheesh, I don’t even know. Because thus far, as far as I know, that’s not the case.”
The waiter brings another round. We pause briefly.
“So they turned you because there was a slight possibility that, with your medical condition, you might be telepathic or clairvoyant? Man that’s a lot of pressure.”
I think about the moment in the parking lot when I felt as though I was seeing through the wolf’s eyes. I think about seeing the arrow strike Quinn. I think about telling Jeff. Instead I just laugh at the absurdity of it all.
“Yeah I guess. Except they aren’t super open about it; they’re just watching me to see if I’m going to develop this ability. Talk about a lousy ROI, huh?”
We drink in silence for a short while. The comm beeps in my ear. I ignore it. I should leave soon. But I’m not ready. The lure of revisiting my old life, this window being offered to me, proves hard to resist.
“So therapy, huh?” I ask with mild interest.
“Yeah.”
“Must’ve been bad. I know how much you hate psychologists.”
He laughs. It is comforting.
“I wasn’t sleeping for a while after everything. After time passed, it was easier and I went several years without therapy until that vampire encounter sent me fleeing back.”
My comm beeps again. I signal ‘hold-on’ with my hand and reach for my ear.
“Yeah?”
“Where are you?” Xan’s agitated voice penetrates my eardrum.
He knows where I am.
“Problem?”
“Quinn went off her comm; she’s gone rogue.”
There’s a surprise.
“She’s still registering on the GPS. She’s not far from you. Thought maybe you could wrangle her.”
He’s not asking.
“Does she know her target’s a wolf?”
“I didn’t get a chance to warn her before she went offline.”
Doesn’t matter. She’s deliberately disobeying orders.
“Okay, hang on, give me minute.”
I shake my head. “Bit of a situation. I’m afraid I’ll have to call this Hallmark moment short.”
“Have they been listening to all this?” He is pointing inquisitively at my earpiece.
“No. I have to push in a button to activate the mic. It’s much more discreet for our purposes than a cell. No batteries, failed signals, line taping.”
“Your purposes? Something to do with that wolf? The war you mentioned?”
I lower my voice to a whisper. “What I said earlier about our worlds. In my world werewolves reign and if they have their way, they will cross over into the human world and become the new hierarchy, the top of the food chain so to speak. My kind is doing what we can to keep that from happening and to keep our worlds separate. We want to keep the peace between us and humans. Ignorance is bliss.”
I can tell by his expression some part of him understands.
“I’m sorry. For everything I’ve put you through. Truly. Take care.”
I stand up hastily; he doesn’t protest.
“Lori against the world. Some things never change.”
We exchange knowing grins. I put a cig to my lips.
“No. I guess some things aren’t meant to.”
“Will I see you again?”
“Hopefully not, for both our sakes.” With that I leave the bar, not looking back. I can’t bear to.
***
“She was pursuing her target below ground last we spoke, but that was nearly an hour ago.”
“Sewer?” I crinkle my nose.
“Yes. GPS still picking up a signal…she just passed west 26th street.”
“You know why she went offline?”
“No, but it wasn’t an attack or she wouldn’t still be moving. More likely she just doesn’t want big brother with her.”
“Why didn’t you send Trent? He seems to have taken a liking to her.”
“I don’t necessarily trust him to follow protocol when it comes to her.”
“Yeah, true…Do we know the target’s location?”
“Projected destination is the stock yard. Collection of warehouses and hangers by the river.”
Quinn needs to know her target is a wolf. Being a full moon, he’ll be at his strongest. Typically we avoid hunting during this time. And a warehouse? Who knows how many would be there…I think about Catch’s encounter.
“Oh hell. Okay, I’ll retrieve the rebel.”
This is turning into a long night.
***
Minutes later I am approaching the Hudson Yards.
“You’re right on top of her,” Xan chirps into my ear.
I pry up the nearest manhole and drop down. I am instantly struck in the gut by a four-inch heel.
Found her.
“Lori?”
Clutching my stomach, I manage, “Damn girl, those ain’t spelunking shoes.”
“What are you doing here?”
“Xan sent me to bring you back to base. It’s a full moon and your guy’s a wolf.”
At that she scoffs and starts walking away, continuing her pursuit. I join her.
“What’s the big deal then? You know who he is, where to find him. You’ll have your chance.”
“Tonight he’s heading for the docks. I think he’s expecting a shipment or prepping one to export. It’s a big lead. I’m not walking away because of what he is. I want to know what exactly they’ve been procuring and why. Don’t you?”
“Sure, but this isn’t the way. We need to be smart about it.”
A rat runs between my legs.
“Definitely not the way.”
The device in her hand beeps and its little 2x3 inch screen illuminates. She studies the blinking dot on the map.
“You steal that from Jiro?”
“Borrowed. I put a tracking device in his briefcase. Bet you wish you’d thought of that.”
Okay, she had a point there.
I grab her arm and give a slight tug.
“Let’s go. You can report your findings to Marcus. Let him decide the right course of action.”
She strikes me with her free arm, shoves me into the sewer wall. I raise my arm instinctively to deflect the blow, forgetting it is broken. We make contact and I cringe as she spins it behind my back. Facing the wall, my forehead sticks to its slimy surface.
“I don’t answer to Marcus and definitely not to you.”
“Being reckless won’t get you answers. It will only get you killed.”
“You speak like you know from experience.”
She gives my arm a squeeze. She notices the bloody rag sticking from the jacket and lets me turn to face her. She does not release her grip. Instead she pulls the sleeve back and studies the broken bone. The flesh is healing around it, trying to mend it.
“You really do know from experience.” She smiles as I pull my arm away, rubbing it like a wounded animal. “Some mongrel may have gotten a chunk of you tonight, but don’t think I’m going to suffer the same fate.”
She disappears into the darkness.
“And don’t come after me again unless you want to help or want your other arm broken.” Her voice echoes off the tunnel walls.
I sigh. My comm crackles and I hear Xan’s voice.
“Find her?”
“Yeah, but she was less than pleased by my proposition.”
“I kinda figured.”
“Don’t alert the others. I’ll clean up this mess.” I am referring more to the sludge on my clothes than the situation. I take off after Quinn.
Calling after her, “Okay, okay I’ll help.”
When we emerge from the sewer, we are standing in an alleyway between two large facilities. Using their proximity for leverage, she leaps from wall to wall until she reaches the roof. I follow her lead.
Quinn has her head inside the air vent as I join her on the roof. She emerges and returns the grate.
“Not a sound.”
“Want to search it?”
“Later. Right now I want to find my guy.”
Her honing device says we we’re right on top of him, but we can’t tell which of the buildings it indicates. She jumps to the neighboring roof and pries up the first vent she comes across. We can’t get a visual, but the air duct provides good acoustics.
“I dunno, how many did you order?” A gruff voice reverberates through the ventilation.
“That him?”
She raises her finger to her lips.
“They’re all here then.”
“Good. Look ’em over, make sure they’re not damaged. Test a few if you have to, just be quiet about it. My client is sending over a buyer to evaluate the product tomorrow night. I don’t want any surprises.” The voice is less baritone, but full of confidence.
“That’s gotta be him.” Quinn sits up. “I want to peek inside.”
She isn’t asking for permission. In an instant she is off across the roof. She circles the ledge, then crouches down when she finds what she is looking for—a window with enough molding to support her.
“You’re insane. Let’s go back and report what we heard. We’ll come back tomorrow with the crew and intercept the buyer—he’ll lead us to the client.”
Quinn, ignoring me, is halfway over the edge.
“I let you tag along ‘cause you said you had my back. Now help me get a better look.”
I hold her ankle with my good arm and lower her to the window. She grips the sill with her arms and hangs upside-down, while I flatten my body on the roof for support.
“Okay, pull me up,” she orders a few long minutes later. I oblige.
“Four guys: the lawyer and three others. Big brutes, wolves most likely.” She stands, dusting herself off. Doesn’t matter, we both look and smell like the sewer we’d come out of.
“We’re standing between four wolves and a full moon; we must have a death wish.”
“Three. My guy isn’t a wolf,” she sneers.
“What?”
“You said it, not me. I got close enough to tell earlier, a hundred percent human.”
All this fuss over a human. God damn.
“But you’re a liability in this crippled state.” She clips my shoulder. “So yeah, we can go.”
“You’re one stubborn bitch. I want you to know that.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
Trent and Catch are sparring when we return to our temporary base. Catch raises his gloved hands and Trent relaxes his stance, looking over his shoulder at us as we enter.
“What’s the word, ladies?” Trent manages a flirty grin while detaching glove straps with his teeth.
Catch crosses to Quinn. His eyes narrow.
“Why’d you go off comm?”
Quinn takes her earpiece from her pocket and hands it to him.
“I got too many voices in my head as it is. Don’t need another.”
I don’t need to be here for Quinn’s disciplining. Exhausted, I make for my room. My arm is throbbing; the bone needs to be reset.
“Lori, were you with her?” Catch calls after.
“Yeah, I can vouch for her.”
A short while later Catch walks in on me struggling to wrap my arm.
“Here, let me hold that.” He holds the bone firm while I fastened the bandage.
“How’d it happen?”
“I got made. Target caught up with me in a pa
rking garage. I eliminated him, but it was a wicked tussle. Thank goodness for silver.”
“Shit. I should have come with you.” He kisses my wound, then pours me his version of a Bloody Mary. “Their senses are so strong during the full moon, there is no such thing as a safe distance. I should have known better, we need to wait the moon out.”
“Don’t Catch. Don’t blame yourself. It was experience I needed. A true field test and I passed. Mostly,” I hold my arm up smiling.
He hands me a glass. “And for that I’m very proud of you.”
“How’s Trent’s fighting?”
“He’s a born athlete. Coordinated, agile, fast…but he’s impatient and impulsive. A dangerous combination.”
“Just like his crush.”
Catch meets my smile. It isn’t news. Trent has it bad for Quinn and he isn’t shy about showing it.
“Did she brief you on her findings?”
“A warehouse full of wolves. Buyer meet-up tomorrow night. Sounds like the break we needed.”
I head for the bathroom and turn on the shower. Let the water run hot.
“So we can’t wait out the moon. We can’t miss that meeting going down tomorrow. I’ll tell Marcus. We have strength in numbers and the element of surprise. I’m confident we can take on, what? Three or four wolves? Full moon or not.”
At least Catch is sounding like himself again.
“We can’t blow this one. We have to get a name. Get the client.”
“By making our presence known, killing his operatives, destroying his merchandise…He’ll come to us. This covert intel routine is getting old. It’s time to make a statement. Announce our presence. Draw them out.”
Catch begins to undress. He follows me into the shower.
“It’ll be one hell of a party.”
I pull him toward me. His lips nurse my wounds. Steam clouds the glass.
Chapter 26
After sundown we load a small fleet of sports bikes with weapons and ride to the dockyard. We stow our bikes in an alley a few buildings down.
Trent walks unevenly, having packed ten guns too many. He’s painted his face in black and gray camouflage and he looks ridiculous. Quinn meets him at his bike and wastes no time tearing into him for his outlandish behavior. Trent, loving the attention, soaks it up without complaint.
Catch dons his sword, preferring a silver blade to a silver bullet. I, on the other hand, opt for anything that can shoot through fur and carry a FN P90 and a couple magazines of silver bullets.